‘Morning Joe’ Co-Hosts Claim Trump Offered to Host Their Wedding

MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski are engaged to be married. Before Scarborough got down on one knee, President Trump offered to host and officiate their wedding, according to Vanity Fair.

Scarborough and Brzezinski had lunch with Donald Trump back in January when he told them that if they planned on getting married, they should consider doing so at Mar-a-Lago or the White House, the magazine reported.

Trump’s son-in-law and senior White House advisor Jared Kushner even offered to officiate the event, but the president didn’t like the idea, according to VF.

Scarborough told the publication that Trump fired back at Kushner, “Why would you marry them? They could have the President of the United States marry them.”

The morning media power couple has already ruled out the idea of Trump hosting or officiating the festivities.

“The White House that I grew up in was an amazing place. If it weren’t Trump, it might be something to think about,” Brzezinski told VF. “The mental picture is just fascinating, but the reality is just . . . no. No, no, no, no, no.”

MSNBC declined TheWrap’s request for comment on Trump’s offer. However, an MSNBC spokesperson confirmed to TheWrap earlier on Thursday that the “Morning Joe” co-hosts were engaged, ending one of the media industry’s worst-kept secrets.

The news of Scarborough and Brzezinski’s engagement broke shortly before Thursday’s episode of “Morning Joe” was about go to live. They have famously attempted to keep their personal relationship a secret from viewers.

It would be interesting to see if the president’s offer still stands now that the engagement is official. The “Morning Joe” co-hosts were criticized for being too close to Trump during the campaign, but have since turned on him. They recently compared him to someone with dementia and Trump has repeatedly praised head-to-head cable news rival “Fox & Friends” since taking office.

16 MSNBC Shows That Have Gained Since Trump, Ranked (Photos)

Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Trump has boosted ratings for all the major cable news channels. But none more than MSNBC, which grew a whopping 55 percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. In fact, the network has the 16 cable news shows that have shown the most growth.

TheWrap wondered on March 15 if Rachel Maddow would turn away viewers after the <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/rachel-maddow-played-us/">mixed reaction to her record-setting episode</a> that revealed Trump's 2005 tax return. Three weeks later, it's safe to say that didn't happen. Using the week of Trump's inauguration as a base and comparing it to the three weeks since Maddow's reveal, here are MSNBC"s big winners, ranked:

16. “For the Record with Greta”

Greta Van Susteren ditched Fox News for MSNBC and her new show has grown 23 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while CNN has remained stagnant over the same time period.

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15. “MSNBC Live with Katy Tur”

The midday newscast that airs from 2-3 p.m. ET has grown 28 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while rival networks have lost viewers over the same timelot.

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14. “MSNBC Live with Stephanie Ruhle”

Ruhle’s daily newscast airs directly after “Morning Joe” at 9 am E.T. and has gained 30 percent of total viewers compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.

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13. “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams”

Williams’ nightly program has grown 30 percent since the week of Trump’s inauguration while CNN’s 11 p.m. ET program has gained 10 percent over the same period.

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12. “All In with Chris Hayes”

Rachel Maddow’s lead-in has delivered, growing 32 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while setting the table for one of television’s hottest programs. Hayes has the only cable news program among the big three networks to see an increase over the timeslot.

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11. “MSNBC Live with Craig Melvin”

Melvin’s daily newscast that airs from 1-2 p.m. ET has increased 33 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, with Sean Spicer’s White House press briefings being a hot topic this time of day.

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10. “Hardball with Chris Matthews”

“Hardball” paves the way for MSNBC’s red-hot primetime lineup and has seen an increase of 33 percent himself while rivals have lost viewers over the same span.

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9. “MSNBC Live with Kate Snow”

Snow’s version of “MSNBC Live” airs from 3-4 p.m. ET and has increased viewership 34 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while both CNN and Fox News have dropped.

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8. “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell”

O’Donnell has one of the best timeslot in cable news… directly after Maddow. His audience has grown 35 percent since the week of her record-setting Trump reveal episode compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.

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7. “Morning Joe”

Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist’s “Morning Joe” trends on social media essentially every morning, as it appears to be the go-to morning program for political Twitter. “Morning Joe” has picked up a 35 percent bump in viewers compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.

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6. “MTP Daily”

Chuck Todd’s daily version of NBC News’ “Meet the Press” airs at 5 p.m. ET and has grown 37 percent among total viewers over the past three weeks compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.

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5. “Andrea Mitchell Reports”

Mitchell’s daily program airs at noon ET and has grown 38 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.

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4. “MSNBC Live with Hallie Jackson”

Jackson’s version of “MSNBC Live” airs at 10 a.m. ET and has grown 39 percent in total viewers compared to the week Trump was sworn in, while rival CNN has grown 16 percent over the same time period.

TheWrap

3. “MSNBC Live with Steve Kornacki”

Kornacki’s daily newscast has seen a 42 percent increase among total viewers compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.

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2. “MSNBC Live” at 11 a.m. ET

Many version of “MSNBC Live” have a permanent host for a specific hour of the day, but the 11 a.m. edition features a rotating group of the network’s talent and has seen a whopping 43 percent increase among total viewers since the week of Trump’s inauguration.

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1. “The Rachel Maddow Show”

Was there really any question which show would occupy the top spot? Maddow’s viewership has increased 44 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration. Maddow was already on fire when she revealed Trump’s 2005 tax return and viewers have continued to flock to her program on a nightly basis ever since.

Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Trump has boosted ratings for all the major cable news channels. But none more than MSNBC, which grew a whopping 55 percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. In fact, the network has the 16 cable news shows that have shown the most growth.

TheWrap wondered on March 15 if Rachel Maddow would turn away viewers after the <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/rachel-maddow-played-us/">mixed reaction to her record-setting episode</a> that revealed Trump's 2005 tax return. Three weeks later, it's safe to say that didn't happen. Using the week of Trump's inauguration as a base and comparing it to the three weeks since Maddow's reveal, here are MSNBC"s big winners, ranked: